Destination guide
Richard Johnstone-Bryden recommends the myriad
attractions of ‘the quintessential English seaside resort’
W
idely known
for its resident
brewery,
restored
Victorian pier,
towering lighthouse, cliff-top
cannons and brightly-painted
beach huts, Southwold is quite
simply the quintessential
English seaside resort. Those
who arrive by sea will also
discover that Southwold has a
relatively unspoilt traditional
small fishing port where you
can still buy locally-caught fish
and catch a wooden rowing
ferry to the neighbouring
village of Walberswick.
The approaches to Southwold
are dogged by a series of sand
and shingle banks which are
constantly on the move, especially
in the winter months when the
Southwold
& The River Blyth
seasonal gales cause the greatest
movement. To keep track of this
situation there is a regularly
updated chart available free of
charge from the harbour master.
Equally, all visitors should makecontact with the harbour master
at least 24 hours before their
planned visit, either by phone
or VHF, to find out the latest
information as well as ensuring
there is an available berth.The port’s tides can be strong,
with ebb tides flowing at up to 6
knots, so it is best to time your
entry for the second half of the
flood tide. Before making your
final approach to Southwold you
must establish VHF contact with
the harbour master on Ch12.
Entry to the harbour is controlled
by the following signals: three
vertical red lights on the pole
at the end of the North Pier –
harbour closed. Two red flags
flown from the pole at the end of
the North Pier – harbour closed.
(When the harbour is closed,
contact the harbour master for
advice.) No flags being flown from
the pole at the end of the North
Pier – harbour open. One green
light from the pole at the end of
North Pier and two green lights
on The Knuckle – harbour open.Visitor moorings on the River Blyth and the harbour master’s office, with Southwold in the backgroundAdnams brewery: visitor tours can be booked online or over the phone